Leveling pedestal usable with washing machine

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a leveling pedestal usable with a washing machine. The leveling pedestal includes a plurality of pedestal sections configured to place the washing machine thereon. The plurality of pedestal sections are connected to each other to adjust the overall length of the leveling pedestal depending on the size of the washing machine or a distance between a plurality of legs of the washing machine. With such a length adjustable configuration, the leveling pedestal is recyclable so as to correspond to different washing machine sizes, achieving commonality in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a leveling pedestal usable with awashing machine, and, more particularly, to a leveling pedestal usablewith a washing machine, which serves to adjust the level of the washingmachine placed thereon when the washing machine is mounted on a steppedor inclined ground surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, washing machines are classified into a washing machine towash laundry using detergent and water, a drying machine to dry laundryusing hot air, and a combination drying and washing machine.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional washing machinemounted on a stepped ground surface.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional washing machine 1 comprises acasing 2 forming the outer appearance of the washing machine 1, a tubmounted in the casing 2 to contain wash water, a drum to receivelaundry, a drive unit to rotate the drum, and legs 4 mounted at fourcorners of a lower surface of the casing 2 to support the casing 2 at acertain height spaced apart from the ground surface.

At the lower surface of the casing 2 are formed female-screw portions(not shown).

Each of the legs 4 consists of a male-screw portion 5 to be fastenedinto one of the female-screw portions in a height-adjustable manner, andan elastic member 6 configured to surround a lower end of the male-screwportion 5.

When the conventional washing machine 1 is mounted on a stepped orinclined ground surface, it is adjusted in level by adjusting the heightof the legs 4 or by placing the legs 4 on separate leveling pedestals 7,respectively.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the conventionalleveling pedestal usable with a washing machine.

The conventional leveling pedestal 7 consists of a plurality of pedestalmembers 8, 9, and 10 vertically stacked one above another. Depending onthe height difference of the stepped ground surface or the tilting angleof the inclined ground surface, the plurality of pedestal members 8, 9and 10 may be used either alone or in combination.

However, the conventional leveling pedestal 7 usable with a washingmachine has the following problem. When the height difference of thestepped ground surface or the tilting angle of the inclined groundsurface exceeds a predetermined limit value, the number of the pedestalmembers 8, 9 and 10 must be increased. Such an increase in the number ofthe pedestal members 8, 9 and 10 beyond a certain range makes itdifficult to firmly support the washing machine.

To solve the above problem, it may be tried to place the plurality oflegs 4 of the washing machine on a longitudinally or transverselyextending elongated single leveling pedestal. However, this has aproblem in that various sizes of leveling pedestals corresponding tovarious washing machine sizes have to be prepared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide aleveling pedestal usable with a washing machine, which can compensate aconsiderable height difference between stepped ground surfaces and isadjustable in length to thereby be commonly used in all kinds of washingmachines regardless of the size of the washing machine.

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objectscan be accomplished by the provision of a leveling pedestal usable witha washing machine comprising: a plurality of pedestal sections connectedto each other in a length adjustable manner, the washing machine beingplaced on the connected pedestal sections.

Preferably, one of the plurality of pedestal sections may be internallyformed with a space, and the other one of the plurality of pedestalsections may be formed with an insert to be partially or entirelyinserted into the space.

Preferably, the space may open part of a lower surface and a lateral endsurface of one of the plurality of pedestal sections.

Preferably, a vibration-proof member may be mounted at a lower surfaceof the insert.

Preferably, holding pieces may be formed at one of the insert and thespace, and holding grooves may be formed at the other one of the insertand the space, whereby the holding pieces are slidably inserted into andengaged in the holding grooves.

Preferably, the holding pieces and the holding grooves may be verticallyelongated, and may be spaced apart from one another, respectively, in alongitudinal direction of the pedestal.

Preferably, hooks may be formed at one of the plurality of pedestalsections, and hook holes may be formed at the other one of the pluralityof pedestal sections for the engagement of the hooks.

Preferably, the hooks and the hook holes may be spaced apart from oneanother by a predetermined distance, respectively, in a longitudinaldirection of the pedestal.

Preferably, each of the pedestal sections may be formed at an uppersurface thereof with a leg seating recess to firmly fix a respective oneof legs of the washing machine.

Preferably, each of the pedestal sections may be formed at a lowersurface thereof with a vibration-proof member.

In the leveling pedestal usable with a washing machine according to thepresent invention as stated above, since the plurality of pedestalsections are connected to each other so that the overall length of theleveling pedestal can be adjusted depending on the size of the washingmachine or a distance between a plurality of legs of the washingmachine, the leveling pedestal is recyclable so as to correspond todifferent washing machine sizes, achieving commonality in use.

Further, according to the present invention, one of the pedestalsections is integrally formed with the space, and the other pedestalsection is formed with the insert to be partially or entirely insertedinto the space. Thereby, the overall length of the leveling pedestal canbe easily adjusted, resulting in convenient use thereof.

Furthermore, as a result of forming holding pieces at one of the insertand the space, and holding grooves at the other one of the insert andthe space to allow the holding pieces to be inserted thereinto in asliding manner, it is possible to prevent unintentional length change orseparation of the insert from the space while ensuring easy connectionbetween the plurality of pedestal sections.

Finally, the plurality of pedestal sections are hooked to one another soas not to be easily separated from each other by vibration, resulting inimproved product reliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional washing machinemounted on a stepped ground surface;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventionalleveling pedestal usable with a washing machine;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a leveling pedestal usablewith a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, which is mounted on a stepped ground surface;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the leveling pedestal of FIG.3 prior to placing the washing machine thereon;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the leveling pedestal of FIGS.3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of theleveling pedestal of FIG. 5 having the shortest length;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the shortest leveling pedestalof FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another assembled state of theleveling pedestal of FIG. 5 having the longest length;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a leveling pedestal usable witha washing machine according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a leveling pedestal usable witha washing machine according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a leveling pedestal usablewith a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, which is mounted on a stepped ground surface. FIG. 4 is aperspective view illustrating the leveling pedestal of FIG. 3 prior toplacing the washing machine thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the leveling pedestal 60 usable with thewashing machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention is designed so that a plurality of legs 4 of the washingmachine 1 is placed thereon when the washing machine 1 is mounted on astepped or inclined ground surface, thereby serving to level the washingmachine 1 entirely.

The leveling pedestal 60 includes a plurality of elongated pedestalsections 62 and 64, which are connected to each other to adjust theoverall length of the leveling pedestal 60. The plurality of legs 4 ofthe washing machine 1 is placed on the pedestal sections 62 and 64,respectively.

To allow the legs 4 of the washing machine 1 to be firmly fixed inplace, the pedestal sections 62 and 64 are indented at upper surfacesthereof with leg seating recesses 56 and 58, respectively.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the leveling pedestal60 is located beneath a front side of the washing machine 1 so that apair of front legs 4 of the washing machine 1 is placed on opposite endsthereof. Otherwise, the leveling pedestal 60 may be located beneath arear side of the washing machine 1 so that a pair of rear legs 4 of thewashing machine 1 is placed on the opposite ends thereof.

Admittedly, it should be understood that the leveling pedestal 60 may belocated beneath one of opposite lateral sides of the washing machine 1so that the respective front and rear legs, located at one of thelateral sides of the washing machine 1, are placed on the opposite endsthereof.

Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the leveling pedestal60 is limited to be arranged beneath the front side of the washingmachine 1 to extend throughout the front side.

Also, the leveling pedestal 60 may be formed by connecting two pedestalsections 62 and 64 to each other in a length adjustable manner, or byconnecting three or more pedestal sections to one another in a lengthadjustable manner. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, theleveling pedestal 60 is limited to the length adjustable connection ofthe two pedestal sections 62 and 64.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the leveling pedestal of FIGS.3 and 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state ofthe leveling pedestal of FIG. 5 having the shortest length. FIG. 7 is asectional view illustrating the shortest leveling pedestal of FIG. 6.FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another assembled state of theleveling pedestal of FIG. 5 having the longest length.

As shown in FIG. 5, one of the pedestal sections, i.e. a first pedestalsection 62, is internally formed with a space 66, and the other pedestalsection, i.e. a second pedestal section 64, is formed with an insert 67to be partially or entirely inserted into the space 66.

The space 66 opens part of a lower surface and a lateral end surface ofthe first pedestal section 62.

The overall length of the leveling pedestal 60 is determined dependingon the length of a portion of the insert 67 inserted into the space 66.

If the insert 67 is inserted deep into the space 66, the overall lengthof the leveling pedestal 60 is shortened. Conversely, if the insert 67is only slightly inserted into the space 66, the overall length of theleveling pedestal 60 is lengthened.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent the insert 67, inserted in the space 66,from being pushed in a longitudinal direction of the leveling pedestal60, holding pieces 68 are formed at one of the insert 67 and the space66, and holding grooves 70 are formed at the other one of the insert 67and the space 66, so that the holding pieces 68 are slidably insertedinto and engaged in the holding grooves 70.

For the convenience of explanation, the following description is limitedto that the holding pieces 68 are formed at the first pedestal section62 having the space 66, and the holding grooves 70 are formed at theinsert 67 of the second pedestal section 64.

Each of the holding pieces 68 has an elongated rib shape protrudingalong an inner wall surface of the first pedestal section 62 definingthe space 66. Each of the holding grooves 70 is indented along an outerwall surface of the insert 67 to have the same shape as the holdingpiece 68.

The holding groove 70 is slightly wider than the holding piece 68, sothat the holding piece 68 is able to be vertically slidably insertedinto the holding groove 70, but is not moved after being inserted in theholding groove 70.

Here, both the holding piece 68 and the holding groove 70 have avertically elongated shape. With this configuration, when the insert 67,formed with the holding groove 70, is inserted into the space 66 from alower side of the space 66, the holding piece 68 vertically slides alongthe holding groove 70 to thereby be inserted into the holding groove 70so as not to move in a longitudinal direction of the leveling pedestal60.

Respective two holding pieces 68 form a pair, and similarly, respectivetwo holding grooves 70 form a pair.

The two holding pieces 68 of each pair are spaced apart from each otherby the same distance as that between the two holding grooves 70 of eachpair.

In the present invention, a plurality of pairs of the holding pieces 68and a plurality of pairs of the holding grooves 70 are longitudinallyspaced apart from one another, respectively, so that the overall lengthof the leveling pedestal 60 is able to be adjusted in a multistagemanner.

For the convenience of explanation, the following description is limitedto that the length of the leveling pedestal 60 is adjustable in threestages.

That is, the leveling pedestal 60 is provided with three holding pieces,i.e. leftmost holding piece 68, middle holding piece 68′, and rightmostholding piece 68″, and three holding grooves, i.e. leftmost holdinggroove 70, middle holding groove 70′, and rightmost holding groove 70″.

When the leftmost holding piece 68 is inserted into the leftmost holdinggroove 70, the middle holding piece 68′ is inserted into the middleholding groove 70′, and the rightmost holding piece 68″ is inserted intothe rightmost holding groove 70″, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, theleveling pedestal 60 has the shortest length. On the other hand, whenonly the leftmost holding piece 68 is inserted into the rightmostholding groove 70″, as shown in FIG. 8, the leveling pedestal 60 has thelongest length. Also, when the leftmost holding piece 68 is insertedinto the middle holding groove 70′ and the middle holding piece 68′ isinserted into the rightmost holding groove 70″, the leveling pedestal 60has the medium length.

The leftmost, middle, and rightmost holding pieces 68, 68′, and 68″ arespaced apart from one another by the same distance as that between theleftmost, middle, and rightmost holding grooves 70, 70′, and 70″.

In the leveling pedestal 60 of the present invention, further, hooks 72are formed at one of the plurality of pedestal sections 62 and 64, and,correspondingly, hook holes 74 are formed at the other one of thepedestal sections 62 and 64 for the engagement of the hooks 72.

Both the hooks 72 and the hook holes 74 serve as fasteners to maintainthe engaged state between the insert 67 and the space 66 without therisk of vertical separation therebetween. The hooks 72 are formed atappropriately selected positions near the respective holding pieces 68,68′, and 68″, and the hook holes 74 are formed at appropriately selectedpositions near the respective holding grooves 70, 70′, and 70″ tocorrespond to the hooks 72.

The hooks 72 protrude from a lower end of the inner wall surface of thefirst pedestal section 62 having the space 66, and the hooks holes 74are formed at a lower end of the insert 67.

The leveling pedestal 60 is also provided with vibration-proof members76 and 78 at lower surfaces of the respective pedestal sections 62 and64.

Preferably, the vibration-proof members 76 and 78 are positionedimmediately below the leg seating recesses 56 and 58 to prevent bendingor drooping of the pedestal sections 62 and 64.

Now, the operation of the present invention configured as stated abovewill be explained.

First, based on a measured result related to a distance between theplurality of legs 4 of the washing machine 1, the plurality of pedestalsections 62 and 64 are assembled so that a distance between the legseating grooves 56 and 58 thereof is equal to the measured distance ofthe plurality of legs 4.

If the distance between the legs 4 is short, the insert 67 is mostly orentirely inserted into the space 66 so that all the holding pieces 68,68′, and 68″ are inserted into the holding grooves 70, 70′, and 70″,respectively. Conversely, if the distance between the legs 4 is long,the insert 67 is only partially inserted into the space 66 so that onlythe leftmost holding piece 68 is inserted into the rightmost holdinggroove 70″.

When the insert 67 is inserted deep into the space 66, the insert 67 islocked so as not to be separated in an opposite direction of aninsertion direction thereof as the hook holes 74 are downwardly caughtby the hooks 72.

That is, the leveling pedestal 60 is restricted in longitudinalseparation thereof by virtue of the holding pieces caught by the holdinggrooves, and is also restricted in vertical separation thereof by virtueof the hook holes 74 caught by the hooks 72.

After completing the assembly of the plurality of pedestal sections 62and 64, the respective legs 4 of the washing machine 1 are inserted andfixed in the leg seating recesses 56 and 58 of the pedestal sections 62and 64. Thereby, the leveling pedestal 60 acts to level the washingmachine 1.

Meanwhile, when it is desired to use the leveling pedestal 60 accordingto the embodiment of the present invention with another washing machine(not shown) having a different distance between the plurality of legs 4,the pedestal sections 62 and 64 of the leveling pedestal 60 arereassembled so that the distance between the leg seating recesses 56 and58 thereof corresponds to the different distance of the plurality oflegs 4.

That is, first, opposite walls of the first pedestal section 62 definingthe space 66 are sufficiently separated to allow the insert 67 to beseparated from the space 66. After separation of the insert 67, theplurality of pedestal sections 62 and 64 are able to be reassembled sothat the distance between the leg seating recesses 56 and 58 thereof isadjusted to correspond to the distance between the plurality of legs 4.

Thereby, if the plurality of legs 4 of the washing machine are insertedand fixed in the leg seating recesses 56 and 68 of the pedestal sections62 and 64, the length adjusted leveling pedestal 60 can be used to levelthe washing machine (not shown).

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a leveling pedestal usable witha washing machine according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment of the present invention,an additional vibration-proof member 78′ is mounted at a lower surfaceof the insert 67 to prevent vibrational separation between the insert 67and the space 66 and to more stably support the washing machine 1.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a leveling pedestal usable witha washing machine according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the third embodiment of the present invention, aplurality of holding pieces 68 are spaced apart from one another by anequal distance t1, and the plurality of holding grooves 70 are spacedapart from one another by an equal distance t2 to allow the overalllength of the pedestal section 60 to be adjusted in an increasedmultistage manner as compared to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

As is apparent from the above description, the present inventionprovides a leveling pedestal usable with a washing machine having thefollowing advantages.

Firstly, according to the present invention, the leveling pedestal isformed by connecting a plurality of pedestal sections to each other sothat the overall length thereof can be adjusted depending on the size ofthe washing machine or a distance between a plurality of legs of thewashing machine. With this configuration, the leveling pedestal isvariable in size so as to correspond to different washing machine sizes,achieving commonality in use.

Secondly, one of the pedestal sections is integrally formed with aspace, and the other pedestal section is formed with an insert to bepartially or entirely inserted into the space. Thereby, the overalllength of the leveling pedestal can be easily adjusted, resulting inconvenient use thereof.

Thirdly, according to the present invention, holding pieces are formedat one of the insert and the space, and holding grooves are formed atthe other one of the insert and the space to allow the holding pieces tobe inserted thereinto in a sliding manner. Using the holding pieces andthe holding grooves is effective to prevent unintentional length changeor separation of the insert from the space while ensuring easyconnection between the plurality of pedestal sections.

Fourthly, the plurality of pedestal sections are hooked to one anotherso as not to be easily separated from each other by vibration, resultingin improved product reliability.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. A leveling pedestal usable with a washing machine comprising: a plurality of pedestal sections connected to each other in a length adjustable manner, the washing machine being placed on the connected pedestal sections.
 2. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of pedestal sections is internally formed with a space, and the other one of the plurality of pedestal sections is formed with an insert to be partially or entirely inserted into the space.
 3. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 2, wherein the space opens part of a lower surface and a lateral end surface of one of the plurality of pedestal sections.
 4. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 2, wherein a vibration-proof member is mounted at a lower surface of the insert.
 5. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 2, wherein holding pieces are formed at one of the insert and the space, and holding grooves are formed at the other one of the insert and the space, whereby the holding pieces are slidably inserted into and engaged in the holding grooves.
 6. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 5, wherein the holding pieces and the holding grooves are vertically elongated, and are spaced apart from one another, respectively, in a longitudinal direction of the pedestal.
 7. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 1, wherein hooks are formed at one of the plurality of pedestal sections, and hook holes are formed at the other one of the plurality of pedestal sections for the engagement of the hooks.
 8. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 7, wherein the hooks and the hook holes are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance, respectively, in a longitudinal direction of the pedestal.
 9. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the pedestal sections is formed at an upper surface thereof with a leg seating recess to firmly fix a respective one of legs of the washing machine.
 10. The leveling pedestal as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the pedestal sections is formed at a lower surface thereof with a vibration-proof member. 